Saturday, September 25, 2010

Washington, DC---300 members of ADAPT, the national disability rights organization, are at DC’s City Hall to hold the DC city government accountable for the type of Medicaid long term care services it uses for people with disabilities and seniors. In addition, the District holds a controversial contract with the Woods Services Institution, a residential facility in Langhorne, Pennsylvania which had its operating license revoked following the July 24th death of a resident who died after being left in a hot van.

“Mayor Adrian Fenty and City Hall are accountable for the quality of life of every DC resident, including low income people with disabilities on Medicaid who have been forced to move out of district to receive long term care services at institutions like Woods Services,” said Bobby Coward of Capital Area ADAPT. “Mayor Fenty needs to support bringing our people home, whether they are at Woods or at any nursing facility or institution.”

Under Fenty, the DC city government has embarked on a policy direction to reduce personal care services within the Medicaid State Plan. ADAPT wants DC city government to instead fully fund services which support people with disabilities living independently in the community and prevent unnecessary and illegal institutionalization.

Capital Area ADAPT is asking Fenty and his successor to implement an Olmstead Plan for the District which includes 1) phasing out JB Johnson Nursing Center a 230-bed nursing facility owned by the District, 2) provide community choice in long term care, 3) implementing an aggressive effort by the District’s Aging and Disability Resource Center aimed at identifying and support nursing facility residents who want to live in the community, and 4) effectively addressing the need for affordable, accessible integrated housing.

Blogiversary

Search This Blog & All the Blogs in My Blogroll at the SAME TIME!

DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM

About Me

I'm 26 and am working part time as a Peer Support Specialist (psyc disability related) while I figure out what I'm doing with the rest of my life. I have cerebral palsy and bipolar II and I blog about my experiences with this because 1) I have a loud mouth and I like to use it 2) all the writing keeps me sane & 3) I value the community.
ENJOY!